Method and device for forming a semi-finished product

Abstract

A method for forming a semi-finished product is disclosed, wherein the semi-finished product is provided in a provision step and, in a solid-stock forming step, a forming region of the semi-finished product is formed such that a thickness of the deformed forming region increases continuously toward one margin of the semi-finished product.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for forming a product, comprising:
 providing a blank to form the product in a provision step; 
 forming the blank in a forming step via a forming tool punch, wherein a thickness of the formed blank is substantially constant, and wherein the forming step creates a bend in the blank in a forming region of the blank; and 
 forming the forming region of the blank in a solid-stock forming step via an edge forming punch different than the forming tool punch by moving the edge forming punch in a direction towards the forming tool punch, 
 wherein, during the solid stock forming step, the forming region of the blank is formed such that a thickness of a deformed forming region increases continuously and tapers in increasing thickness toward one margin of the product, and 
 wherein the forming step is carried out after the provision step, while the solid-stock forming step is carried out after the forming step. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blank is secured in a fixation step prior to the forming step. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fixation step is carried out after the provision step, while the solid-stock forming step is carried out after the fixation step. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the solid-stock forming step and the fixation step are carried out at the same time. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blank is secured in a fixation step, and wherein the forming step is carried out after the fixation step, while the solid-stock forming step is carried out after the forming step. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the fixation step and the forming step are carried out at the same time. 
     
     
       7. A device for forming a product comprising a molding tool, the molding tool comprising:
 a forming tool punch; and 
 an edge forming punch, 
 wherein the molding tool is adapted to: 
 form a blank with the forming tool punch, wherein a thickness of the formed blank is substantially constant, and wherein forming the blank creates a bend in the blank in a forming region of the blank; and 
 deform the blank forming the product with the edge forming tool, by moving the edge forming punch in a direction towards the forming tool punch, to form the forming region of the blank such that a thickness of the deformed forming region increases continuously and tapers in increasing thickness toward one margin of the product, 
 wherein the molding tool is adapted to deform the blank to form the forming region after the forming step. 
 
     
     
       8. The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the device comprises a fixation tool, wherein the fixation tool is adapted to secure the blank. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blank is provided in a semi-finished state of the product. 
     
     
       10. The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the blank is provided in a semi-finished state of the product.